Palestine, media, Jordan, community radio, online journalism
By Daoud Kuttab Many analysts and activists are questioning the wisdom of the Palestinian leadership agreeing to preliminary talks in Washington, without having secured the coveted settlement freeze and the declaration by Israel that the 1967 borders are the basis of the negotiations. Palestinians and Israelis have debated whether these issues are considered preconditions to peace talks or…
By Daoud Kuttab The city of Jerusalem has many diplomatic missions that have the official title of consulate general. These include the US, most Western European and Scandinavian countries, as well as Turkey. These diplomatic missions report directly to their capitals and they are not accountable officially to their counterparts from their country’s diplomatic missions…
By Daoud Kuttab A well-known American bureau chief in Israel of a major US newspaper always prided himself with knowing the key to getting Israel to politically move in the peace process. You must use invisible hands to hurt them, he told me shortly after the first intifada broke out. The Israelis must feel the pain…
By Daoud Kuttab The unexpected and serious deterioration of the health of Teresa Heinz Kerry may delay or cancel a reportedly record sixth visit by America’s top diplomat to the Middle East. But if and when US Secretary of State John Kerry does make it to the region, he will find it even more troubling than it…
By Daoud Kuttab Hamas stands to be the major loser in the latest popular revolt in Egypt, which pits millions of Egyptians against now deposed President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. The Islamic Resistance Movement, known for its Arabic acronym Hamas, a year ago welcomed Morsi’s election. Both Hamas and Morsi ideologically belong to the…
By Daoud Kuttab US Secretary of State John Kerry is clocking more hours than most US diplomats in trying to bring the Palestinian and Israeli leaders back to the negotiating table. All sides confirm that progress is being made and gaps are being tightened, but little information on the details of these talks is…
the following appeared in Jordan Times By Daoud Kuttab The conference we were invited to was important. Called for by the Gaza Centre for Press Freedoms, the event was aimed at addressing and developing the local Palestinian media in Gaza. I was invited as part of an international media support delegation and all appropriate permits…
By Daoud Kuttab Palestinian music sensation Mohammed Assaf is unlikely to appear in any location in Jerusalem, but the winner of the second season of “Arab Idol” is certainly present in East Jerusalem. Since Assaf’s win, the cobbled streets of the old city have been rocking with his voice, as his flagship song “Alii al-Kofia Alii 
By Daoud Kuttab A rather underreported issue about the way Palestinians are treated is emerging. Countries that control borders through which Palestinians need to travel act as though they were the guardians for what they deem best for Palestinians. Four different bodies today are using their powers to limit the movement of people and…
By Daoud Kuttab Press reports in Palestine covering the Hamdallah-Abbas controversy focused on the mode of transportation. When after 16 days in office he decided to resign as prime minister on June 22, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah drove to his home in Anabta using his own car without a driver or an entourage. He…